Offered in this lot are two (2) booklets of Vintage Sheet Music from the "Popular Gems for Mandolin and Guitar", "First Series" and "Second Series", 1896, published by the McKinley Music Music Company, Chicago, Illinois. Chicago's music publishing has mirrored the cultural history of the city and the nation through music for the church, school, popular entertainment, and the home, from the first piece of music in 1854, “The Garden City Polka,” by Christoph Plagge, published by B. K. Mould, to the rise of gospel music. The high point came during the Civil War, when patriotic songs like “The Battle Cry of Freedom” (1862) made Chicago a national center. Earlier, music had been issued primarily for a local market. In the 1880s inexpensive (five–ten cent) music began to be issued by the National Music Company (1882), Saalfield Brothers (1888), and McKinley Music Company (1891). Music from the McKinley Music Company is listed in the libraries of the University of California Santa Barbara and The University of Wisconsin Madison General Library System. These two booklets of sheet music are in fair to good overall condition, age tanning, foxing and staining exhibited. No other obvious marring noted. Measuring 7"W x 10.25"L and 7"W x 10.5"L respectively for First Series and Second Series.